ADHD is increasingly common today across the United States. Generally diagnosed in children, many adults make it to college age or older before receiving a diagnosis. For many people living with ADHD, medications provide the support they need to focus on tasks at work or school. For others, alternative approaches help them understand their behavioral patterns and adjust their lifestyles to maximize their strengths.
Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and misdiagnosis when it comes to understanding ADHD and ADD. Consequently, an ADHD treatment program can help those living with attention deficit disorder and their loved ones understand and manage ADD symptoms for a happy and healthy life.
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What Is ADD?
ADD or attention deficit disorder is a mood disorder often classified by difficulty concentrating and hyperactivity. In the 1990s, ADD was renamed ADHD to include hyperactive behavior like fidgeting, tapping, squirming or incessantly talking. Moreover, scientists believe ADHD can be inherited or developed from environmental factors and stress.
Top signs of ADHD include:
- Trouble staying on task
- Interrupting others when talking
- Difficulty focusing
- Poor time management skills
- Mood swings
- Low frustration tolerance
- Difficulty coping with stress
- Frequent daydreaming
- Making spur-of-the-moment decisions without considering consequences
- Squirming or other repetitive movements
Generally, ADHD falls into two categories: those who have difficulty focusing and those who experience hyper-activity. Both can be problematic during work or school, making it hard for both the person with ADHD and those around them to focus.
Do I Have ADD or am I Just Lazy?
Like many mood disorders, ADHD is largely misunderstood. In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard for those with ADHD to conform to tasks at work and at school. Children with ADHD may have difficulty completing homework or chores without reminders and supervision. Adults may have trouble staying on task when they aren’t passionate about their work. While some people may consider ADHD as “lazy” or someone’s “inability to follow through”, people with ADHD are highly intelligent and creative. More importantly, those living with ADHD often focus on what they love to do or learn, rather than what they are tasked to do. In both work and school, this can become problematic.
The more people learn about ADHD, the more they can begin to understand that people across the country from all walks of life live with ADHD. Knowing this can reduce stigmas and help people find the support they need for their learning and work styles, as well as daily life. Medications like Adderall are common treatments for ADHD. Today, however, there are also alternative approaches without medication to help people understand and manage ADHD symptoms.
Treat ADD and ADHD in Portland, Oregon Today
If you or someone you love is living with ADHD or suspects undiagnosed ADHD, call Crestview Recovery for support. Co-occurring disorders are common among people living with ADHD, and Crestview Recovery can help you and your loved ones find the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Moreover, the staff at Portland’s Crestview Recovery can provide tools for the whole family to better understand and manage ADHD.
Therapies at Crestview Recovery include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual Therapy
With a robust alumni program, inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs, and a range of mental health services, Crestview Recovery is here to provide Portland with comprehensive addiction and mental health support.
Learn More at Crestview Recovery Now!
Don’t just live with ADHD. Instead, call us now at 866.262.0531 to learn more about our programs and get started with ADHD treatment today.

Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.